The $15.2 billion ($11 billion) New Zealand Superannuation Fund has ploughed $80 million into the Asia-Pacific region’s first life settlements swap, in a deal organised by Credit Suisse’s Sydney-based fixed interest investment banking team.
Jim McKee, director of hedge fund research at Callan Associates, believes the underperformance of hedge funds due to the one-off loss caused by the short selling ban should not be underestimated. He spoke with Amanda White about what investors should expect from hedge funds, why it’s still a manager selection game, and whether LIBOR is an appropriate benchmark.
The events of the last two years have demonstrated that risk management cannot afford to stop at the 95th percentile, and that risk management based solely on volatility is not sufficient. This research paper by Tim Unger, head of investment strategy at Watson Wyatt Australia and member of the global Thinking Ahead Group, considers 15 unlikely, but potentially high impact events – such as the demise of capitalism – their effect on investments and possible hedging strategies.
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The executive director of the $72 billion New York State Teachers’ Retirement System (NYSTRS), Thomas Lee, has been given the discretion to reallocate actively managed international equity assets into passive funds, in line with a board decision to use a blended international equity benchmark, as the fund appoints new consultants to begin from January.
For US private equity and venture capital managers, Q2 generated the best returns since the end of 2007, when listed markets began sliding, and for the first time since its introduction mark-to-market valuation methodology benefited managers, according to research from US Consultancy Cambridge Associates.
OMERS Strategic Investments, the investment entity of the $43 billion Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System (OMERS) focused on co-investment opportunities in private markets, has formed a long-term strategic partnership with HAS Development Corporation (HASDC) and Airport Development Corporation (ADC) to pursue airport acquisitions.